Net neutrality?

net neutrality
Net neutrality (infographic from historymaniacmegan.com)

The National Association of Realtors has always championed net neutrality as a means of internet fairness for small businesses and consumers.  A recent article for Realtor Magazine (the official magazine of the NAR) by Robert Freedman hits the same talking points of many recent NAR articles and statements (How FCC Plan to End Net Neutrality Hurts You; realtormag.realtor.org; November 21, 2017).  Freedman wrote that a reversal of net neutrality rules would “make it harder for real estate companies, multiple listing services, and property data aggregators to provide their services in a cost-effective way.”

The NAR takes the position, like many net neutrality advocates, that net neutrality is good for business and consumers.  A December 15th NAR press release (nar.realtor) stated:

NAR has actively supported net neutrality for years.  We are concerned that a rollback of net neutrality rules could raise costs on business owners, like real estate professionals, who make heavy use of technology and online platforms. In particular, NAR notes that paid-prioritization models and other anti-competitive practices could put small businesses at a significant disadvantage. For example, NAR said, larger companies could pay for internet fast lanes that deliver content to consumers faster on some websites than from others.

But a recent article for the Foundation of Economic Education by Dr. Kyle Swann (Net Neutrality Isn’t Neutral At All; fee.org; December 14, 2017) lays net neutrality’s real issues.  He argues that the growth and innovation of the internet happened during the twenty years prior to FCC regulation.  Prior to the net neutrality rule, internet service providers (ISP’s) and edge providers’ (internet content providers and platforms we use daily) services were offered “subject to mutual agreement.”  He also points out that the FCC’s “primary function” is to regulate media content, and that the FCC’s Open Internet rules “expressly permit ISPs to block, filter and curate content.”  Rolling back the 2015 net neutrality rule shifts ISP oversight from the FCC back to the FTC.  Swann’s answer to an open internet is to promote ISP competition, giving consumers a choice.

During the net neutrality rule, ISP’s were no longer exclusively accused of censorship, fast tracking content, and promotion for payment.  Some content providers were also accused of similar practices.  Rana Foroohar writing for Financial Times (Why Big Tech wants to keep the net neutral; ft.com; December 17, 2017) calls attention to how the larger content providers (FANG) actually benefited from net neutrality.  Some of these FANGs have seen exponential growth in the last several years.  Foroohar, like Swann and others, expresses her opinion that an application of real internet equality and consistency should be consumer driven.

Contrary to NAR’s point that rolling back the 2015 net neutrality rule will make it more expensive to do business on the internet: the cost of doing business on the internet has already become expensive and cost prohibitive for many Realtors.  Some have argued that the prominent real estate content providers have greatly expanded their market share during net neutrality.  These content providers promote the agents who can afford the service the content providers offer.  Needless to say, this paid arrangement does not guarantee home buyers and sellers a competent, ethical or consumer oriented agent.  And it’s not necessarily cost-effective either, because advertising costs are usually passed on to the buyer or seller in the form of admin fees and higher commissions.

The answer may be, as many argue, is competition.  Not just with ISP’s, but with content providers as well. A truly open internet will allow for innovation and increased competition, allowing the consumer to choose the winners and losers.  Dr. Swann is correct in saying in the article mentioned above, Whatever side of this you’re on, it’s quite probable that the people you’re demonizing want the same things you want.

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2017/12/23/net-neutrality/

Copyright© Dan Krell
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Home listing syndication is big business

home listing syndication
Home listing syndication (infographic via trendmls.com)

Your home listing is a hot commodity!  Not just to home buyers looking to buy, but to those who buy and sell information on the internet.  MLS home listing information syndication is big business.

Much of what you see, hear, and read on TV, radio, and the internet is syndicated and distributed through a broad network of affiliated outlets.  The purpose is to have as large of an audience as possible.  The larger the audience, the larger the advertising revenue.  Syndicating and distributing media content has been around for a very long time, and has been very a lucrative industry for those involved.

Internet syndication is no different and has become sophisticated, such that websites will pay for licensed content.  The content attracts visitors and generates revenue via ads and/or pay-per-click.  Needless to say, internet syndication has developed to become a multi-billion-dollar industry.

When you think about making money in real estate, you probably think about buying and selling property, not the internet.  Most people don’t realize that real estate information generates $billions on the internet.  Real estate portals generate revenue by publishing content that attracts home buyers and sellers.  The sought after content, of course, is your home’s MLS listing.  Websites generate income by selling real estate and other professionals access to consumers who visit their sites to view your MLS listing.

You may not know this, but your home’s listing is copyright-protected by your agent’s Multiple Listing Service.  The content is licensed and syndicated to internet real estate portals and other publishers for a fee.  How much do websites pay for MLS licensed content?  Heck, you’d be hard pressed to find that information, much less acknowledgement that there is a fee paid at all!  And I suspect that information is not readily disclosed because consumers would be up in arms if they knew.

However, an article by Natalie Sherman appeared in the Baltimore Sun on January 27, 2015 (MRIS looks to partner with Zillow) gives a hint about the monetary relationship between MLS boards, syndicators and publishers.  Ms. Sherman wrote:

“Under the current system, Zillow pays to receive listings from Listhub.com, which has agreements with hundreds of multiple listing services, including MRIS, to provide syndication services to sites such as Zillow. Earlier this month, Zillow and Listhub said their existing deal would not be renewed.

A representative for Zillow, which has been working to establish more direct relationships with brokers and listing services for years, said a new deal would help keep the site more up to date.”

The article refers to the 2015 shakeup of real estate listing feeds to specific websites, such as Zillow.  At that time, Zillow sought direct deals with individual MLS boards, such as our local MRIS (now part of Bright MLS), to get MLS home listing feeds.

Chances are that you are unaware that the information about your home that is uploaded to the local MLS (including pictures of your home) become the property of the MLS.  Much less, you may not know that the information is licensed to others for a fee to be used on other websites.

Even though the MLS boards charge subscription fees to agents for the privilege of uploading and viewing content, they might argue that the fees generated by licensing and selling your information helps maintain the MLS system.  However, not disclosing this aspect of the real estate listing poses some ethical questions that must be addressed.

Of course, there are real estate brokers who have opted-out of syndication of their MLS listings.  These brokers want to retain control of  home listing information to ensure accuracy and maintain professionalism when presenting your home to the public.

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The anonymity of the internet has made real estate more personal

HouseIt might not be a revelation that the initial news about Zillow’s acquisition of Trulia reverberated among the analysts as a game changer for the real estate industry. But you might be surprised that some commentaries, such as Brad Stone’s of BloomburgBusinessWeek.com (How a Zillow-Trulia Merger Could Finally Change the Business of Real Estate), expressed that the transaction of buying and selling homes has not really changed since the inception of these internet giants.

Compared to 2013, decreased sales volume has made 2014 a challenging year for many in the real estate industry. And contrary to what some believe, the Trulia acquisition may not necessarily be a sign of strength; but rather, it may be sign of continued weakness in the industry. Tim Logan comments on the acquisition in his July 28th Los Angeles Times article (Zillow deal to buy Trulia creates real estate digital ad juggernaut), “Neither is yet profitable separately, but they hope to save $100 million a year by joining forces and cutting duplicative costs.”

Regardless of the economics behind the acquisition, the significance of Zillow and Trulia (and other similar websites) cannot be underestimated. And although many believed these sites were to have changed the real estate industry in a manner similar to how the internet changed the travel and retail industries; Zillow and Trulia have been leaders in transforming the home buyer and seller experience. And instead of minimizing the importance of the real estate agent; MLS aggregators have become facilitators and part of the home buying/selling process by packaging syndicated MLS feeds and other related information to consumers in a convenient and eloquent way through the internet, while selling services to real estate professionals vis-à-vis subscriptions and advertising.

The general process of buying and selling a home is still somewhat the same as it has been for decades. Before internet access became prevalent, real estate agents mostly met with their clients in person to review available home listings, discuss financing and other related matters. Although many used the technology of the day (fax machine and telephone), the preferred meeting was face-to-face. As the internet flourished, technology adopters were able to correspond with clients via email, text messages, and Skype. And as the technology evolved, so too did the daily business of real estate. Searching for homes became increasingly streamlined, and the flow of documents became more efficient.

Some have made the argument that the internet and related technologies may have been an enabler of the real estate bubble of the early to mid 2000’s. However, the reality may be that the real estate bubble facilitated the growth of real estate aggregators and the use of internet technologies. The proliferation of information at that time, along with the effective use of new technologies, fed house hungry buyers who wanted to be the first to know about a home for sale before other buyers. Internet and cell phone applications were developed to automatically send listing alerts to buyers’ emails and cell phones (technology that is commonly used today and even useful in hot markets where homes sell quickly).

Buying and selling a home is still a personal business. Instead of eliminating the real estate agent; websites such as Zillow and Trulia may have forced the agent to evolve from the information gate keeper to the local real estate expert who can interpret information for clients into meaningful data that can be used to facilitate the buying and selling of homes.

© Dan Krell
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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. This article was originally published the week of July 28, 2014 (Montgomery County Sentinel). Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © Dan Krell.

House shopping strategies without using MLS

shopping for housesThe low housing inventory is discouraging many home buyers.  Low inventory along with increasing home prices and buyer competition can make shopping for a home today a frustrating endeavor.  If you’re a serious home buyer, there may be other strategies to finding homes for sale other than those listed in the multiple list system (MLS).

The “For Sale by Owner” sign in the yard is a tell tale sign; however did you know that many FSBO’s can be found listed in the MLS?  These are listed through brokers who are paid a flat fee as an MLS listing placement service.  And although most are listed online, not all FSBO’s are found in the MLS.  You can also find FSBO’s on numerous “by-owner” sites, as well as Zillow, Trulia, or Craigslist.

Listservs and internet groups are another way to find non-MLS homes for sale; however, neighborhood groups often restrict membership to residents.  Leveraging your personal and social networks by announcing your search for the non-MLS home for sale will most likely prompt them to inform you about what they have heard through their networks and neighborhood listservs/groups.

The National Association of Realtors® 2013 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (realtor.org) indicates that 92% of buyers search the internet.  Besides FSBO’s; online services such as Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist, also list foreclosures auctions, pre-foreclosures, and of course broker listings too.  The internet is also where scammers are lurking, waiting to prey on you.  Be wary about phone numbers that are out of the area; experts agree that you can avoid most scams if you deal with local individuals with whom you can meet in person.

Buying a foreclosure is often suggested as an avenue to buy a non-MLS home.  Although most bank-owned homes become listed in the MLS, you have the opportunity to purchase a home at the foreclosure auction.  If you’re an auction novice, seek out a real estate professional to assist you; homes are purchased “as-is” and you usually do not have the opportunity to inspect the interior.  Mistakes that are often made by inexperienced auction bidders include misunderstanding the terms of the auction, overestimating home values on those they bid, as well as getting carried away and over bidding.  Pre-foreclosures are often listed in the MLS as short sales; however, it is necessary to be aware of local laws (such as the Maryland Protection of Homeowners in Foreclosure Act) when approaching distressed home owners who have not listed their home for sale.

Searching through expired and withdrawn MLS listings is another way to find eager home sellers.  Your real estate agent can provide you with such a list; however, it is not easy and you may quickly discover the reasons why many of these homes did not sell.

Even though, many alternate strategies for finding a non-MLS home for sale can be achieved without a real estate agent you should consider hiring an agent; besides representing you and assisting in structuring and facilitating the transaction, it is also common for agents to use these strategies to search on behalf of their busy clients.

A down side of the search for the non-MLS home for sale is that instead of competing with other home buyers, you’re competing with many real estate agents; not just those agents representing home buyers, but also the many agents searching for their next MLS listing.

by Dan Krell ©
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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. This article was originally published the week of March 31, 2014 (Montgomery County Sentinel). Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © Dan Krell.

Home buyers become internet detectives

detectives

Home buyers have access to more information in today’s internet connected society than ever before. Home buyers have become internet detectives, doing their home buying research online.

Years ago, a buyer would have to act as a detective to verify or uncover more information about a home; their sleuthing could take up lots of time at the court house and library, as well as interviewing neighbors.  Besides the seemingly countless number of online resources for home searches, buyers today also have many internet resources available to them to obtain home and neighborhood information.

Home buyers are internet detectives.

Neighborhood and demographic information are now readily available online in many home search websites.  For example, neighborhood information currently displayed includes information about a zip code that includes: home sale statistics; general population demographics; economic, school information and environmental information; and even information about quality of life.  Other popular search sites with lots of valuable information include (but not limited to): zillow.com, trulia.com, and redfin.com.

Many home buyers also look to greatschools.org as a reference for local school information.  The website describes itself as a national non-profit whose mission is to “inspire and support families to champion their children’s education – at school, at home and in their community…”

As interest in the paranormal has increased, more people are interested in knowing if someone died in their home.  For a fee, diedinhouse.com offers a report that could include: if a death occurred in the home, the name of the deceased, cause of death, list of previous residents, and possible information about the death.

Besides commercial websites; state, county and municipality websites also offer an abundance of information.  For example, some of the local agencies that maintain websites hold valuable data to home buyers and owners.  For example, the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ eProperty Data Mining Tool.  The tool allows you to search multiple State and County databases for information about a home.  Information that may be included: Department of Assessments and Taxation Real Property, code enforcement, permits, and Montgomery County Police.

Home buyers who are curious about neighborhood crime can find a number of commercial websites that map crime and offender information; however, to get accurate and timely information, you should probably look to the local police departments.  By directing specific questions to the police by visiting local precincts, you can obtain a wealth of information.  However, much of the information can also be viewed online: For example, the Montgomery County Police website has links to local crime statistics and even active warrants.  The site also has a link to the sex offender registry (which is maintained by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services) as well as information about receiving alerts when an offender moves into your zip code.

Another local agency that offers information is the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.  The website offers a data search tool that can display recent permit applications and permit status for a specific address.  The site also includes zoning and code information.  However, online County Master Plan (montgomeryplanning.org) information is offered by Montgomery County Planning Department, and can be viewed at.

As online resources grow, anyone can join the “internet detectives.”  Although there are many online resources available, the websites listed here are not inclusive; I am not endorsing any commercial websites.  Besides being cautious when visiting websites; you should acknowledge that many commercial sites are not 100% accurate, as disclaimers will disclose that technical and/ or reporting errors can occur in the collection and/or reporting of data.

Original located at https://dankrell.com/blog/2014/01/24/home-buyers-become-internet-detectives/

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2014

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.