Consumer Friendly Innovations in Real Estate

The Internet is Creating a New Forum for Conducting Business

As traditional brokerages aim to rid the industry of alternative business models, innovators are attempting to prove their motive is creating consumer focused ideas. Whether it is providing the consumer an option different than the traditional model of listing a home, or providing updated information that was at one time only available to agents, innovators are proving they are about providing a consumer friendly model offering choice. Flat fee MLS listing brokerages are just that, brokerages; brokerages that have decided to offer their professional assistance and products in a different way. They are not trying to offer the same product as a traditional agent and charging a grossly discounted rate, thus they should not be labeled in that way. They are providing an alternative consumer friendly option that provides services as they are desired and purchased. Their For Sale By Owner hybrid listings allow sellers to maximize marketing exposure while still maintaining complete control of the selling process. With the evolution of real estate information websites, information that was at one time accessible only to real estate agents with access to the MLS has now become available to anyone with an internet connection. Home sellers and home buyers can easily view comparative sales reports, home facts and home sale history. As sellers begin to take advantage of the resources they are now afforded you can only expect they question whether the assistance they receive from an agent is worth the money they pay for it. Any business model that allows its members to spend more time looking for business than actually doing business is going to be questioned by the general public and the customers they are so desperately trying to make clients.