Comments on: Disintermediation #3 Watching Video, Selling a Home, Buying Insurance – part 2

By: The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » Blog Archive » MLS For the Little Guy

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 14:22:50 +0000

[...] Another big step for the real estate industry, and yet another example of disintermediation brought to you by the internet. [...]

By: Richard Holcomb

Richard Holcomb — Sun, 21 May 2006 15:12:34 +0000

As one in the residential real estate business we are seeing more and more “new” ways of doing business… from discounting fees to offering additional services. In our case, included in our commission structure we offer our clients a substantial amount of advertising in both our monthly magazine, website and weekly television show to help move the property more quickly. It works for us and certainly bodes well for your analogy that times are changing and we had better change with the times or be left far, far behind.

By: david houle

david houle — Sat, 20 May 2006 00:56:41 +0000

So someone should combine the above two comments. Disintermediation meets entrepreneurship; someone should start a national FSBO site.

I have emphasized disintermediation because I really beleve that in ten years we will look back and be astounded by how much of it has occurred. Opportunity if you accept it and study it, pain if you don’t.

A couple of more posts on the subject to come.

David

By: Everyday Economist

Everyday Economist — Fri, 19 May 2006 16:52:36 +0000

At the same time, this is a beautiful opportunity for anyone who assists in the Disintermediation.

i.e. Google earth + realestate values = Zillow.com. They make some pretty good money by assisting in the disintermediation.

Disintermediation can be very good if you position yourself on the right side of it, are flexible, and willing to adapt. “Holding the course” will leave one complaining that things changed.

This site is a valuable resource for those who will heed and adapt, and probably will be ignored by those who don’t want to admit the world changes.

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 19 May 2006 14:11:11 +0000

David,

I like your realtor commision idea, and I think we discussed this topic in our phone conversation.

As a homeowner, you have to create worthwhile incentive for your agent to get top dollar for your house. I believe you can get your agent to work harder for you if you give them a larger piece of the pie if they bake you a larger than normal pie.

The problem with FSBO sites on the internet is that there are so many of them. There is no standard. The MLS system is the accepted standard if you list your house with an agent. It would be nice (at least from a buyers standpoint) if you could get a FSBO catalog system in place, much like the MLS system, that gives your FSBO a number…

-Grant