Home » Opinion » Opinion
Write a Letter to the Editor

Jan

31
2012

Real estate industry must tame syndication 'beast'

By Inman News, Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

I know that Brian Rayl and many others have all of the best intentions on the syndicated listing discussion. I respect their opinions but wholeheartedly disagree.

My perspective comes from being in the business for 25 years, and I consider that I have always been in front of the technology curve. I work in a two-town marketplace on Boston's North Shore but believe that this issue is the same in any market. Right now, I embrace the beast that I am about to "diss" because it is what our customers expect: comprehensive access to and exposure of every property available for sale.  more...

Jan

30
2012

In syndication decisions, consider your real estate clients

By Inman News, Monday, January 30, 2012.

After reading yet another article about a broker pulling its listings from syndication sites such as Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com, I have to wonder why the brokers have not published the information that they use to come to the conclusion that the aggregation sites do not serve their customers.

If the evidence was so compelling, why do they not make it public?  more...

Jan

26
2012

Working exclusively with buyers has its benefits

By Inman News, Thursday, January 26, 2012.

Re: 'Real estate consumers tell it like it is' (Jan. 20)

Dear Editor:

For the buyers in the story, the answer is simple: buyer brokerage.  more...

Jan

25
2012

Real estate agents: Put safety first

By Inman News, Wednesday, January 25, 2012.

I'm afraid we are going to read more stories like this as the economy continues to take its toll.

Riding motorcycles and handling firearms has taught me important lessons in life: always have an escape route and always be aware of your surroundings. I know we tend to teach agents only after events like this happen to be vigilant of their surroundings, but it needs to be a part of basic real estate training and especially open-house training.  more...

Jan

3
2012

Jan

2
2012

The power of real estate negotiators

By Inman News, Monday, January 2, 2012.

Re: 'You can't predict the future, but you can plan for it' (Dec. 27)

Dear Editor:

One of the main points of the article by Gahlord Dewald was that a negotiation expert was only necessary when the "two sides" are relatively close in power. He indicates that when one side is particularly powerful or one side particularly vulnerable, there is little point in negotiation.  more...