Michael Polzler has raised a question that cannot go ignored? Is it time for CREA to shut down realtor.ca? As a Real Estate Professional choosing to implement cutting edge technology into my business, and being commited to having the best tools available to assist my clients as they set out in their journey to buy or sell property, I must agree. Realtor.ca is way past it's best before date.
During the whole Competition Bureau challenge, I said that Realtors should band together and shut down realtor.ca. The site provides more harm than it does good. It is old, hard to navigate/maneuvre, doesn't provide enough pictures, limits embedded videos, and tarnishes the image of realtors on the cutting edge of technology. We need a public website that will allow us to showcase our industry in a positive light. Canadians deserve to have access to sites which will provide shared listings as well as demographics, school details, and state-of-the-art mapping technology. RE/MAX has been leading the way in website development in an effort to create the ultimate real estate site. However, as Mr. Polzler states, "The investment that any real estate organization makes in an over-the-top website is undermined by its inability to display all product. It would be virtually impossible for any brand or independent to be competitive, given current restrictions on Canadian listing data.".
In a day and age of agents implementing IDX (a data exchange service allowing us to share each other's listings and allow our clients to have the maximum data available during their search) realtor.ca needs much more than just listings to be worthwhile. Not only that, with the circus that became of the Competition Bureau's "investigation" into the MLS system, the MLS has been made out to be the be all and end all of Real Estate. The MLS is a formidable solution to allow access to all listings, however the medium used to grant access to these listings (realtor.ca) leaves much to be desired. We need to have a shared listing system that sees the boards release their stranglehold on listings and implement a cooperative system. As Real Estate continues to be Canada's economic engine, it's sad that the trademark website is this far behind the times. Realtors have much more pertinent information on their personal websites, and I for one take great pride in offering as much information as possible on my website . As well, those of us that subscribe to IDX have the capability to display listings from across the country. This makes our own websites much more resourceful than "the lone Canadian system" that is realtor.ca.
Mr. Polzler goes on to state that, "The status quo simply must change for the good of the industry, its stakeholders and consumers, who quite frankly, are well aware of the existing shortcomings.". I couldn't agree more. As we strive for advanced tools that will enhance our clients' experience during their home search, antiquated sites do just the opposite. Like many realtors, I've developed a mobile site to make it easier for clients to obtain information on my listings. We need to embrace the technology available to us and take real estate information to the next level. Every industry is making great strides and leveraging advanced technology to provide consumers/clients with leading edge solutions. CREA is aware of the tools available to end the status quo, but chooses to continue with a closed system that stifles creativity. Mr. Polzler sums it up perfectly by stating "complacency and progress simply cannot co-exist".
As a prospective buyer or seller, can you imagine being able to virtually drive down a street where the home is, watch a short video, view neighbourhood profiles, property history, school districts, public transportation schedules, determine today's lending rates and carrying costs specific to the property, calculate closing costs, and receive detailed property information at the click of your mouse or on your smart phone? A leading real estate site must be able to provide you with this. As a Realtor, wouldn't you want to be able to showcase your client's homes, provide buyers with answers to all their concerns about an area, and enhance your image as a Real Estate professional by having a state-of-the-art shared listing system?
If we call a spade a spade, then a dinosaur is just that - a dinosaur! Realtor.ca is so yesterday! Tomorrow's challenges need to be addressed today! It's time to collectively raise the bar! Let's introduce Canadians to a new world of Real Estate. The Future of Real Estate is here! Get in and buckle up, you'll love it!
Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
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