Real estate agent (4th generation) and blogger in Orange County, California. I work with both buyers and sellers, and specialize in Lake Forest and surrounding areas including Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Laguna Hills, and Aliso Viejo.
Yawn..... How really different is this from Redfin, Help-U-Sell, or any of the others? Real estate is still not a commodity, and neither are agents. HGTV, & YouTube haven't put plumbers, electricians, carpenters etc out of business. Some people like to and have time to do things for themselves, others need to have someone else do it for them. Just like many other professions, there are all levels of competence in the real estate industry. Compared to some of the worst, buyers would be much better off "representing" themselves. The best agents will not be threatened with this type of model. Vicki Lloyd, MBA, e-PRO, ACRE, Realtor
Several of the builders in my area of Southern California are now allowing agents to register their clients by email, as long as the agent has toured the project & viewed the models! (It really shouldn't be any different than letting your buyers check an open house, while you are holding theirs open.)
Another reason this downturn won't end soon! It will also create more hardship for homeowner associations that are not collecting their dues from these people. Which will then cause the HOAs to raise the dues or have special assessments to make up the difference. Vicki Lloyd, MBA, e-PRO, ACRE, Realtor http://LiveLakeForest.com (949) 457-0281
