To Syndicate or Not To Syndicate, That Is The Question

Jim Abbott, broker and president of ARG Realty, took to YouTube to give what many consider a very well-reasoned explanation for his company’s decision to no longer syndicate to third-party syndicators.

Much has already been said about his, and Edina Realty’s, actions. You can agree or disagree, but Mr. Abbott’s explanation is compelling. The rallying cry of agents and brokers alike sound all too familiar, so today we talk tactics for beating the 3-headed syndication beast (Zillow, Trulia & Realtor.com). However, we go about in a different way.

Bad Data in Bad Data Out

As the adage goes, garbage in, garbage out. Well, the number one complaint by many within our industry is that these national websites have incredibly bad data.

I’d tend to agree. Their data isn’t what it should be; but, before you go grabbing your pitchforks and torches, take a look in the mirror.

Can you seriously tell me that every bit of data in you local MLS is accurate? Can you even tell me that you’ve never once made a single error putting a property into the MLS?

Do they leave listings in their systems longer than they should? Yes. Do they mix up valuations occasionally? Yep.

I would say though… let he without bad data cast the first stone… Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Know, Like and Trust

Every single conference I’ve been to in the last year has some digital-prophet telling you that people love doing business with someone they know, like and trust.

Really, you don’t say? I figured they enjoy making the largest transaction of their lives, with some shady guy in a back alley.

I understand the industry side of the argument against ads on your listings, but if your client is easily swayed by those ads did you really do that great of a job in the first place?

The younger generation has been raised to ignore ads online, I should know, I’m part of that group. Spend less time worrying about who bought a certain zip code, and more time owning that zip code using social networking, blogging and email list building.

Build A Better Platform

Consumers prefer the national websites, and it’s not difficult to understand why. They have better websites, with better user-interfaces, apps and home search.

If you want to play with the big boys, stop using the same site you’ve had since 2002!

Look I know, very few agents have thousands of dollars just lying around to build a new site. The truth is though, you don’t need much.

Start small with a real estate specific WordPress theme. Pay some college kid $50 to teach you how to use it, and start taking back your market share!

Action!

Without question I understand the real estate industry’s plight, but don’t think for one second acting like a 6-year-old,

I’m taking my ball and going home…

Is going to fix your problem. Every conference preaches raise the bar… well start doing it. Start winning!

Here is ARG’s YouTube Announcement:

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