If you syndicate your listings to Realtor.com from your MLS don’t expect to see leads. Even though each listing has a ‘Get more information,’ ’schedule private showing,’ or ‘contact agent‘ don’t expect to see the lead. Realtor.com is now acting like Zillow but worse. They take that lead and send it to local agents who then follow up with the prospective buyer.
Last week, a consumer called me displeased because she clicked the contact agent button on Realtor.com and we never got back to her. Then she received a message from another agent who knew nothing about the new construction she was inquiring about but the agent said she could introduce her to a local builder and had other lots. The buyer wasn’t happy and felt wronged. She was expecting to speak with us directly about the development. This is not cool.
My team and I researched what was going on and contacted Realtor.com but never heard back.
As a realtor, we pay a shitload of money for very little in return. Realtor.com wants to be like Zillow, but worse because Realtor.com is not letting consumers reach the listing agent at all via private message. All links lead to their lead gen offering. So the consumer has a great experience when they reach another agent who knows nothing about what the consumer was inquiring about. Furthermore, Realtor.com knows very little about online conversions. They require buyers to leave their phone number. This removes at least 50% of potential leads. Most want to build rapport via email, then speak on phone when comfortable. Requiring a phone number is so 2001 and it's a poor way to get leads. Having a phone number as an optional field is the best approach.
Realtor.com used to be for Realtors by Realtors, but now that want to be more like Zillow and this isn’t a good thing for agents who work hard to get listings. If you want to get your own leads that you bust your ass to get, you will have to pay up a big monthly fee. It's complete BS. NAR should stand up for Realtors but they obviously don't care. This is what happens when you don't own your own domain name.
Sorry for the typos, I am writing from my iphone.
Drew / InstaMLS and Hillman RE
