Bob Hale is friendly in that expansive, Texas sort of way that’s immediately disarming. But make no mistake, this is a savvy guy. And a courageous one.
See, while most of us were trying to figure out how to burp out a value proposition in 140 characters, Hale, the CEO of a major Realtor Association, was working on something that may actually improve the real estate industry.
In a couple weeks, the Houston Association of Realtors will launch a Web application that allows consumers to see which Realtors within their chosen search area are transacting business – and which are not.
Here are the highlights:
- The app is based on MLS data and will be available from the association’s highly-trafficked Website
- Every Realtor in the market is included, there is no opt-out
- The app is map-based, so consumers can see who has sold what, where, over different time periods
- The app may be made available to MLS organizations nationwide
Let that sink in…
A Realtor association is helping consumers make decisions with clarity, on their own, objectively and with no compromise.
An industry leader is taking an obvious but politically perilous stance: that what is good for consumers is, in time, good for real estate professionals.
Human beings that need to get professional help to buy or sell a home will be able start their decision process on a foundation of good data, not within a flurry of sales scripts wielded like nunchucks in the confines of their living room.
If you care about this industry, pay attention to what Bob Hale and his team are doing. And support it.
Outside agitators, inside movers
This has been done before, most notably by Neighborcity, a startup brokerage that uses MLS data to display agent sales activity on its site (disclosure: 1000watt Consulting performed some work for Neighborcity in 2009). And there’s a whole category given to agent review sites on the 1000watt index.
The direct inspiration for the HAR app came from the “Connect Create” contest at Inman’s Real Estate Connect event last year, at which a team from Diverse Solutions, a real estate tech company, built an app called “Agent Scouting Report” that allowed agent search based on productivity. That app was never released into the wild (more disclosures: I was president of Inman News until 2004 and Inman is a client of 1000watt Consulting).
But these were outsiders. And outsiders, invaluable as they are in pushing change, do not have the implements of disruption close at hand. They need to raise millions to build traffic that can be used to pry into the industry (Zillow) or mount a crusade of controversy and appeal directly to consumers (Redfin).
An institution like HAR however, and a leader such as Hale… well, that’s a different and more uncommon thing. A move like this from within the industry can clear a path for others to take risks and challenge their constituencies.
This may already be happening. The HAR application was recognized by the NAR’s “Game Changer” program, which encourages and rewards innovative ideas from real estate associations. As a result, once the app launches, Hale thinks it’s possible the NAR may get behind it at a national level.
That too is worth supporting.
Politics
Hale says his board of directors – comprised of real estate brokers – has been very supportive of this effort. As have the many productive, full-time agents who have previewed the app. As you might expect, it gets a little dicey when you start to talk about newbies, part-timers, or those who just don’t win much business.
This is a politically charged move. And we need more of those in this industry – from people who have political capital and positions of institutional authority to risk. I can write until my house falls down about creating a better real estate industry, but it’s going to take more Bob Hales to get there.
So go, Bob, go! We’ve got your back! Anyone else?
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[...] 29, 2010 in Uncategorized I like this new app idea… read the full article here. [...]
Bob Hale is one of the great innovators in our business today. I know him personally & professionally……one “Hell of a guy”! We in Houston are verfortunate to have him as our CEO. Keep going Bob, we need you!
I think it is a great idea. There are too many pretenders who say they sell luxury homes that don’t. It would be great to be able to point out to potential clients an objective source of your productivity compared to others. I am so tired of seeing Realtors slap up lousy websites for high end luxury communities when I know full well they have never stepped foot inside the gate of that community.
[...] the effervescence of cheers and applause for HAR’s new agent productivity app, fear and absolutes rise like hot steam. Not all in [...]
[...] Systems: From the evolution of Google rich snippets to news of the HAR launching a web application, rating systems area hot topic… Some believe that ratings are flawed, as the rater may not [...]
[...] Match Me with an Agent [...]
[...] the Houston Association of Realtors is introducing a controversial new application designed to provide information for the consumer about agent productivity. Now that’s a [...]
On the surface, this may seem like a good idea. I have been very successful in my real estate career thus far, so why not let others know about it, right? Well, wait a minute! I am not part of a team. I am a one person business and I like it that way. However, because I work only for myself, I am limited in the number of transactions I can do weekly, monthly, annually. I cannot
On the surface, this may seem like a good idea. I have been very successful in my real estate career thus far, so why not let others know about it, right? Well, wait a minute! I am not part of a team. I am a one person business and I like it that way. However, because I work only for myself, I am physically as well as mentally limited to the number of transactions I can do weekly, monthly, annually. I cannot even begin to compete with the mega teams with 10 to 20 or more team members. They are all over me 20 to 1. Does this mean that they are a better agent than I am just because their members collectively have more transactions or more production than I? Many of these team leaders never even see a contract. They have their team members do the work and then they take the credit for it. The team leader’s name appears on the contract, not the team member that actually did the work. So, please tell me what this is trying to accomplish? I thought HAR was to serve area Realtors-isn’t that what we pay our dues for? HAR is not a consumer reporting agency. While I applaud Mr.Hale’s efforts to reward productive members, this cannot be fairly accomplished when they pit one realtor against an entire team. Bob Hale, please rethink what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to reward the mega teams at the expense of all independent Realtors?
Janet, I could not have said this better. All I have to say is that I second what Janet said. HAR is the Houston Association of Realtors. I do not see the word consumer in the name of the organization we have that is paid for by US… The Realtors!!!!!
Independent and small teams cannot compete with the larger teams/groups with this particular application. Although, many consumers prefer smaller teams or individuals over large teams, this could still potentially drive some very good agents offering excellent service out of business. Perhaps listening to what all agents need to be more productive while offering consumers good information should remain the focus. This model is a great way to reduce the profits to HAR and the $600k salary Bob Hale earns.
[...] This particular program has been talked about on the Interwebs already. In and of itself, it’s not that big a deal: publishing an [...]
Does quantity always mean quality? Who sells more clothes Wal-Mart or Nordstom’s?
I have worked on a team and now work as an independent agent. The first things I realized was that I was in charge of the quality of the service I delivered to my clients and that was inspiring.
There are many excellent agents who do not want to turn their clients over to a team model where the quality of service is based upon the performance of several different individuals. These agents choose to be responsible and accountable for every aspect of the transaction.
The proposal for HAR to recognize based on numbers only is obviously a big plus for teams. If we are going to endorse agents based on numbers only perhaps we should divide the production by the number of agents it took to achieve it.
I started as a REALTOR on a large team and I can tell you the service is not always better. In fact, it was my experience that there was a lack of communication and quality of service. I am now an independent agent; my success is dependent on me and me alone. The application being proposed by Mr. Hale is misleading to the consumer and somewhat irresponsible, in my opinion. So, Mr. Hale who are YOU working for? The big teams or the independent agent? The average consumer has no idea how these teams work. Why don’t you emphasize the client rating system, instead of glorifying one individual that has 20 agents doing a job that you are advertising as being done by an individual. Give me a break!
As a final note – I prefer to be Nordstrom, not Wal Mart.
[...] are really working – and discount those who aren’t. The Houston Association of Realtors did something similar a few weeks ago, and I think we’ll continue to see more of [...]