Last week, everyone in the real estate industry was weighing in on upcoming listings, Zillow Previews, and changing stances on pre-MLS prominence.
Some, like hipster music fans, were hooked on upcoming lists long before they were cool. But now it seems like the entire industry is jumping on the bandwagon and saying they’re big fans of the concept.
Read: Brokers’ position on pre-MLS listings [INFOGRAPHIC]
Last week, the stance on pre-MLS marketing shifted, with brokerage leaders, portals and naysayers all speaking out in unison, including prominent Keller Williams co-founder and executive chairman Gary Keller.
In an op-ed last week, the Keller Williams frontman spoke about transparency and trust while touting the new Zillow Preview program and newly announced partnerships with Keller Williams, REMAX, HomeServices of America, United Real Estate, and Side.
Read: Zillow, Keller Williams and others team up for ‘pre-market’ listings
Commenting on the changes outlined as part of the Preview rollout, Keller said, “Zillow respects agents, buyers, and sellers, while also respecting the rules of the MLS. For these reasons, we have decided to support the company’s new Preview Listings program. Our franchisees and their agents will be able to post eligible listings in Zillow’s Preview Listings category for as long as their local MLS allows, and their contact information will be displayed for consumers.”
Gary Keller wasn’t the only industry leader to share his thoughts and concerns last week. Inman’s opinion page is filled with insights and views from brokerage leaders and educators.
Independent Broker Owner of Upcoming Properties and Real Estate Portal: It’s all about control
Vanessa Bergmark, owner and CEO of Red Oak Realty, wrote that in an effort to gain more control over listings, the industry is becoming less transparent, less able to provide independent advice, and more concentrated in its influence over the bottom line.
Flexibility serves clients better than rigid, one-size-fits-all orders: ARA Co-Founder
Jason Haber, co-founder of the National Association of Realtors, wrote that the trade group’s vision is now becoming industry convention.
Industry Leader: Zillow Preview Isn’t the Answer, It’s the Accelerator
Zillow Preview is not a solution to the private listing problem. Coach Darryl Davis wrote that this is a more palatable starting point to the same destination.
Bess Freedman: The days-to-market metric is a fact. I’m sorry, I’m not sorry
Beth Friedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, writes that our transparent real estate market is the envy of most people around the world because of its efficiency.
Zillow’s “Preview” doesn’t resolve fragmentation. It may have doubled
Shaun Frank, founder and CEO of Mainframe Real Estate, writes that real estate will become more fragmented as each major platform builds its own pre-market channel.
Washington State has drawn the line on privately held properties. Others should follow: Windermere exec
Jacobi, an alumnus and co-president of Windermere Real Estate, wrote that Washington’s leadership should not be seen as an exception. It should be a blueprint.
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