What do all buyers and sellers want? What do only Realtors possess?

Detailed knowledge of local market conditions.

As many technology companies have learned, some homes data can be easily automated, but there is always something missing - local insider data that only the hard-working, experienced local real estate professional has.

Until now.

Realty Times has created a way for Realtors to showcase their experience with a new marketing tool that takes Internet exposure beyond Web sites and homes for sale. Realty Times' Market Conditions Report™ is quick, easy-to-use, and provides unique exposure for agents on some of the most highly trafficked real estate Web sites on the Internet.

"The first question any consumer asks an agent is, "What is going on in the market?" says Realty Times' CEO Jody Lane.

"Consumers can find homes for sale, mortgage rates, and community information, but they have no way of knowing what is going on in a particular market. We've given agents a way to report "Market Conditions" - as they see it - in the cities, towns and areas they service," explains Lane. "Each time the agent reports a market condition using their own data and opinion, it is immediately posted within that neighborhood area. This data is posted in real time on Realty Times and all other sites that have agreed to host the Market Conditions Report. Best of all, each report has a link back to the agent's Web site."

"I've never seen a better way to showcase agents," adds John Giaimo, vice president of business development for Realty Times. "I believe that Market Conditions will be second only to search engines in exposing agents to consumers. Market Conditions directs consumers to agents at the community level where they can get specific information from the local experts - our subscribers."

Giaimo points to the city of Austin, Texas, a top national relocation destination, as an example.

"Think about it," Giaimo continues. "You make one report - and we expose you all over the Net. When I saw this product, I knew I had to be a part of it. This is the reason I joined Realty Times."

Feedback from industry leaders about Realty Times' Market Conditions has been favorable. "What a great concept," said Russ Bergeron, general manager of Southern California MLS. "Provide a consumer oriented product, built in real-time by real estate professionals who now instantly increase their visibility to current and future clients. If there was ever a win-win situation, this is it."

Lane says, "It is definitely a win-win. The consumer gets up-to-the-minute market information provided by the agents, and the agents get the exposure. We are not getting between any of the agents and the consumers. When the agent receives a lead, it is theirs to run with. There are absolutely no referral fees."

"We think this concept is so unique, that we are filing for a patent."

Unlike most online marketing opportunities for agents, Market Conditions is not tied to listings, but to local market information, which enables all agents, whether they represent buyers, sellers or both, to compete effectively on the Web.

"The real genius of Market Conditions is that it works with other marketing tools that the agent already has, such as Web sites, listings, and more," says Giaimo. "The Real Estate Update and Market Conditions can cross-promote the agent. That's why Market Conditions goes beyond what other online tools can do; it's next-level marketing."

"We are talking to several portals and other news sites about carrying The Market Conditions Report. We expect to be making several announcements within the next few weeks," says Giaimo.

"We have a hit here," says Lane. "As one of our members, Bruce Braun, wrote us today - "Love it...Love it...Love it!"

"We feel we have created your total marketing package."

Editor's note: To gain exposure with Market Conditions Reports, Realty Times has put distribution agreements together with the leading Internet real estate portals, including MSN HomeAdvisor, HomeSeekers.com, Yahoo!, and Lycos, among many others. An agent must be a Realty Times Member (subscriber to a $200 service minimum.) Membership can be upgraded to include The Real Estate Update, Realty Times' popular newsletter for an additional $100, or $300 for both products. Each Member can report on up to five different market areas, and post as often as they like. The freshest reports are on top, providing incentive to agents to keep their reports fresh.

Published: November 20, 2001

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