Hi..

We build websites for UK based realtors, and we have a standard website product.

The thing is, I realise the USA realty market operates in an entirely different way to the UK, and I am wondering how our website would stand up in the USA?

Here is a link to the website:- http://www.dotmagic.co.uk/foundations_real_estate_agent_property.asp (click online demo)

I would be very interested to hear USA member feedback.

Thanks,

Rob

Hi Rob,

Perhaps I missed a few things (my look was quite quick) but it seems that the website is primarily listings. That is what the public wants to primarily see so that is not necessarily bad but in my experience most agents are quite lazy and want the listings on their site to run themselves - they do not want to have to do anything.

So, they arange for an IDX link through their local MLS so all the MLS listings are displayed on their site without the contact details of the competing brokers. It is easy and usually inexpensive so if your product is primarily a site that displays listings - your major task would be convincing agents that it is better to use your system than go with the IDX systems the are used to.

I confused by what you mean when you say MLS, and IDX.

Most estate agents in the UK have management software in house that they enter property details on (who owns it, howmuch commission they'll get, viewings diary etc)

As they are entering that information into the management systems, they generally dont want to duplicate effort.

Our product takes a data feed from most management systems, so they only actually enter the data once.

I am still a little confused how it works over there. Could anyone take the time and effort to sum up roughly how the markets over there operate?

Cheers,

Rob

In North America, listings are sent to or uploaded to the MLS System - Multiple Listing System - which is a system set up and run by cooperating real estate brokers - almost all brokers belong.

The MLS System has all of the listings from all of the companies so there is no need for a shopper to go to different companies to see if they have different listings. Any broker can show all of the listings.

Brokers and individual Realtors can get an IDX (Internet Data Exchange) feed right to their website which shows all of the MLS listings - there is no duplication of effort.

Because all of the listings from all of the companies are shown there is no need for buyers to leave the site to check out other Realtors' sites to see if they have different listings.

So, Realtor websites tend to compete by providing other information and services - not just listings as buyers can get all of he listings just about anywhere.

Agents can also set it up so they can display their own personal listings separately in addition to all the MLS listings - useful as a listing tool.

I hope that helps

[This message has been edited by doug (edited 07-14-2004).]

hmmm....

In the UK, agents sell only their properties.....

Are you saying any realtor can sell any property over there?

Yes, that is correct.

That seems pretty mad.... but hey, it obviously works for you guys.

Can anyone set up an MLS?

Sure, unless it is against some particular law in your country anyone could set it up. The trick is really to get near full participation especially in the larger centers - which is why it works best if set up by the Brokers themselves (whatever eorganization represents all the Brokers in your country).

With a website product you always have to make sure each client can commit to put enough unigue content on their site. Otherwise they get sandboxed and are usually banished to lower search engine placement.

Definately figure out the mls thing, cause any agent will want a website primarily for that reason.

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Charlie
Internet-Engine
http://www.chicagorealestate-bw.com

Thanks for the advice everyone!

check out this link to see how its done down here in Georgia http://www.gamls.com